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Joint Industry Project

Sustainable Hydrocarbon Recovery in Unconventional Reservoirs

The University of Kansas

The University of Kansas (KU) is launching a new Joint Industry Project (JIP) in Sustainable Hydrocarbon Recovery in Unconventional Reservoirs. Researchers from the Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department (CPE), Tertiary Oil Recovery Program (TORP), Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering Department (CEAE), and the Department ofGeology (GEOL) are working together to develop novel technologies to address issues of critical importance for sustainable unconventional reservoir exploitation. The JIP will explore four Thrust Areas, each led by a Principal Investigator (PI).

Removal of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) and scale-causing minerals using nanotechnology – using polyelectrolyte complexes as nanosized entrapment agents to target metals such as barium, strontium, and radium directly in produced water. Once formed, these nanoparticles can be separated from the produced water through filtration or gravity separation, and may be regenerated for additional use.

Application of fluidized bed biological reactors for organics removal –increasing contact between organic chemical contaminants and reactor components (microbes) using fluidized beds to increase the reaction rate, enabling the processing of large volumes in minimal space.

Nano-proppants for hydraulic fracturing of shale formations – using nano-proppants capable of packing micro-fractures to prevent fluid loss and improve both effective fracture length and productivity of the fractured wells.

Nanoparticle-stabilized CO2-foam as fracturing fluids – fluid loss and fracture cleanup properties of CO2-foam as fracturing fluid will be studied for different nanoparticles and chemicals to be used in optimization of fluid properties.

Effects of produced water composition on fracturing fluid efficacy – identifying the levels below which chemical contaminants need to be reduced in order for reuse to be attractive to the producer. This work will be performed in conjunction with our produced water treatment activities and will initially focus on fracturing fluids.

Gas injection to enhance oil recovery from shale formations – studying the feasibility of using different gases with huff-n-puff process to improve oil recovery in tight shale formations. Preserved core samples from target shale formation will be used to examine key parameters to the effectiveness of the process. Experimental investigation and computer modeling will be used to improve understanding of the complexity of phase behavior and the flow behavior in shale rock for optimization of the oil recovery. Initial focus will be on CO2 due to its favorable solvation property. Other gases will be evaluated later.

Improved reservoir characterization – using improved correlations between seismic data and fracture properties, develop a more representative fracture network/property model for shale reservoirs capable of adjusting the fracture spacing based on the fracture characteristics of the reservoir

Reservoir modeling – developing a small scale model for production from a naturally fissured shale block that captures the full physics behind the shale gas or oil production. This model will then be extended to gas injection application and reservoir scale models

Production optimization for shale oil/shale gas- investigating various drilling, fracturing and injection scenarios to improve production from ultra-tight, organic rich unconventional reservoirs

To ensure the JIP is successful from the start, KU is investing $642,861 in initial research funding as well as providing research, staff support, and access to more than 7,500 sq. ft. of research lab space with: